Tube noise research

Caroline Pidgeon: Following recent media reports of the research undertaken by audiologists recording noise levels on London Underground lines and stations please state what plans TfL has to consider this research in relation to the protection of hearing of (a) London Underground passengers, and (b) London Underground drivers and staff who work on the London Underground.

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) is committed to ensuring the Tube is a safe environment for its staff and customers. While customers travelling on the network can experience noise, higher volumes tend to be for short periods of time.
Noise limits set out by the Health and Safety Executive are based on exposure over an eight-hour period. Tube customers would need to spend much longer than the average journey on the Tube network in order to reach these thresholds. Health and Safety Executive guidance suggests Tube noise is highly unlikely to cause any long-term damage to customers’ hearing.
TfL undertake regular Noise Risk Assessments to understand the noise exposures of London Underground staff and drivers. TfL aims to ensure operator exposures of below 77 decibels. The majority of operators experience exposure below 77 decibels with a proportion between 77 and 80 decibels. These operators are usually on longer shift patterns. Where exposure to noise is higher than this, TfL offer low attenuation hearing protection to operators.
TfL regularly monitors noise levels on the Tube to ensure it remains below these limits, and carry out work on tracks to mitigate noise, including replacing and repairing rails and installing noise-dampening fixings and pads. TfL is also working with its suppliers to develop initiatives that could further reduce noise.

Crossrail

Keith Prince: What lessons have you learned from your mistakes on Crossrail?

The Mayor: It is clear that the responsibility for the delay to the Crossrail project lies with the former management of Crossrail Ltd. It is also clear that there are lessons to be learned for the future governance of major infrastructure projects. The London Assembly Transport Committee report, alongside others - including the independent KPMG review commissioned by the sponsors, the report of the National Audit Office and the inquiry of the Commons Public Accounts Committee - all provide helpful contributions about how the governance of the project can be improved and are actively being progressed or responded to.
In addition, Transport for London (TfL) and the Department for Transport, as Joint Sponsors, we have already taken a number of actions to strengthen the project’s governance and assurance. A new leadership team and enhanced governance structure has been put in place to strengthen the Crossrail programme and put the project back on track.
Everyone involved is fully focussed on completing the project and opening the Elizabeth line to passengers as soon as possible.

ULEZ and SMEs

Keith Prince: Have you carried out an assessment of the cost to SMEs – the lifeblood of London’s economy – that the ULEZ charge will have on their businesses?

The Mayor: An independent assessment of how bringing forward the ULEZ to April 2019 would affect SMEs was carried out as part of the Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) for the proposed change to the scheme. The IIA is available here: https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/environment/air-quality-consultation-phase-3a/

Taxis and Mental Health (3)

David Kurten: How many Licenced Taxi Drivers had their licence suspended or revoked for depression, anxiety or any other mental health condition over the following years: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 so far?

The Mayor: Transport for London’s (TfL’s) records show that there are over 500 drivers who failed to meet DVLA group 2 medical standards in the timeframe you have requested. This covers a wide variety of medical disorders, including poor mental health.
Providing further detail would require TfL to manually check the individual files for all of these drivers to identify and extract the information requested. Unfortunately, this would require substantial time and resource, which TfL tell me they are unable to commit currently.

Consultation Awareness

Tony Devenish: Regardless of the merits of the proposal, I have been contacted by a number of constituents concerned about the lack of publicity over your plans for segregated cycling between Wood Lane and Notting Hill Gate. What efforts have you made to involve local media in spreading awareness of this consultation? Will you extend the consultation until 30th June?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) has a consistent approach to public consultations. This consultation is running for a six week period from 1 May to 16 June, consistent with comparable schemes such as Cycle Superhighway 9.
As part of the consultation, TfL is running an online advertising campaign, as well as adverts in local press, including The West End Extra on 23 May; Ealing Gazette on 3, 10 and 24 May, and Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Today on 13 May. TfL also sent a press release to regional and local media and has directly contacted key stakeholders. TfL has also sent more than 28,000 letters to local residents and businesses, publicised the consultation using social media, and sent 180,000 emails to registered customers. The story has been covered in the Evening Standard (print edition), as well as in the Ealing Times, My London and ShepherdsBushW12.
Consultation drop in sessions are being held on 13 and 28 May in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, and on 5 and 8 June in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, allowing members of the public to view the proposals and ask questions of TfL. To support these events, TfL will distribute leaflets to local community venues, visit local businesses, and hand out leaflets on 14 and 23 May at Tube stations within the neighbourhoods.
I am satisfied that TfL has publicised the consultation sufficiently and that the consultation period is sufficient for people to be able to review and respond to these proposals scheme in a considered way.

Rotherhithe Crossing (4)

Andrew Boff: What is the total amount of money that has been set aside for the Rotherhithe Crossing?

The Mayor: The Rotherhithe to Canary Wharf Crossing was allocated £332.98m from 2019/20 to 2023/24 as part of the Healthy Streets portfolio budget within the Transport for London Business Plan. The final cost will be determined once design work has been completed.

Crossrail (6)

Caroline Pidgeon: Please state the remit and total expenditure to date of ‘project delta’ as part of the Crossrail project.

The Mayor: Crossrail Limited does not have a project called ‘Project Delta’. A specialist team of industry experts (the ‘Delta Team’) was brought in by Bechtel to support the development of the Earliest Opening Programme. The expenditure associated with the people in the “Delta Team” to 30 April 2019 is in the region of £800k.

Transport for London Procurement (2)

Florence Eshalomi: What policies does Transport for London have to ensure its delivery of services and procurement of goods are socially, economically and environmentally best value and meet high standards in delivery across these factors?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) is governed by my Responsible Procurement Policy which covers the whole of the GLA group. The policy is a high level strategic document setting out my plans, ambitions and commitments for the GLA to ensure continuous improvement in London delivered through all of its procurement activities. In addition, TfL has procurement policies for Ethical Sourcing and Sustainable Timber which are published on its website. TfL is in the process of updating its own organisational procurement policy which will be published later in 2019.

Transport for London Procurement (4)

Florence Eshalomi: Is Transport for London following the example of other authorities and including discretionary grounds for exclusion of companies whose activities amount to grave misconduct in the pre-qualification eligibility assessment, for example the blacklisting of trade unionists, record on health and safety and in adhering to the Equality Act 2010?

The Mayor: As a Public Sector Body, Transport for London (TfL) utilises the standard Crown Commercial Services supplier Selection Questionnaire. This includes discretionary grounds for exclusion for grave misconduct.

Transport for London Procurement (5)

Florence Eshalomi: How does Transport for London take into account the multiplier impact of UK based job creation over the whole life of a contract when considering the economic advantages of a contract at the award stage?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) includes strategic labour needs and training requirements at the tender stage in relevant contracts to require bidders to demonstrate how they will create skills and employment outcomes over the lifetime of the contract. In 2018/19 this resulted in the creation of more than 520 apprenticeship starts in TfL’s supply chain, as well as a significant number of work placements, educational engagements, and pre-employment activity focused on social mobility. TfL’s approach has been shared across the sector and adopted by the Department for Transport, Network Rail and Highways England.

Tube noise [2]

Andrew Dismore: In areas where residents are suffering excessive ground borne tube noise, reduction in train speeds have been shown to ameliorate significantly the noise they suffer. Will you now consider slowing trains outside rush hours, especially at weekends and with the night tube?

The Mayor: All reports of Tube noise are assessed by Transport for London (TfL) on a case by case basis so that the appropriate action can be taken. The relationship between train speed and noise levels is complex and there is not always a direct link between the two. The use of speed restrictions needs to be carefully balanced against providing a level of service that London Underground customers could reasonably expect.
TfL is currently reviewing what criteria should be used when assessing requests for speed restrictions.

White Hart Lane Underground Station

David Kurten: To ask the Mayor if White Hart Lane Underground Station is being re-named to Tottenham Hotspur? And how much that football club are paying for the privilege?

The Mayor: TfL has been in discussion with Tottenham Hotspur Football Club about a potential ten-year commercial partnership. The partnership, if agreed, would generate income for TfL, reduce TfL’s costs and help promote TfL’s messaging. Any agreement to rename the station would be subject to continued support from Haringey Council and engagement with the local community.

Taxi and Private Hire Vehicles

David Kurten: Given that TfL just licenced over 1,200 Euro 6 diesel vehicles for Addison Lee, but no longer allows the registration of new Euro 6 diesel taxis, why are you inconsistently and disproportionately disadvantaging taxi drivers in the name of cleaning up London’s air, while continuing to register thousands of the same vehicles which are now banned for taxi drivers?

The Mayor: I am not disadvantaging taxi drivers in the name of cleaning up London’s air. London’s taxi and private hire trades must both play their part in cleaning up London’s air.
I am helping our world-famous taxi trade to go electric by giving drivers the financial support and charging infrastructure they need to switch to cleaner Zero Emission Capable (ZEC) models. Alongside a national grant of £7,500 per vehicle, I have made a £42 million fund available to taxi drivers to delicense their older, dirtier taxis with payments of up to £10,000.
Private hire drivers do not receive the same financial support and, unlike taxis, private hire vehicles (PHVs) must comply with the Ultra Low Emission Zone in central London 24 hours, 7 days a week and pay the Congestion Charge. Zero-emissions licensing requirements for new PHVs will also be introduced gradually from next year.
In all, Transport for London (TfL) is acting to ensure both taxi and private hire fleets work to the same goal of being zero emission capable by 2033.

West Hampstead Overground station

Andrew Dismore: The new West Hampstead Overground station is nearing completion. The construction design allows for the station to be completed with or without a ticket office. Residents are concerned that the station will lose its ticket office facility by default. Will you confirm that the ticket office will be provided in the new station?

The Mayor: West Hampstead Overground station is being redeveloped without a traditional ticket office. However, a staffed point of sale will be available at busier times at this station. Transport for London is currently finalising arrangements for the station, which will be confirmed following discussions with the Trade Unions.

United Nations Global Compact Cities Programme

Navin Shah: What plans, if any, do you have to sign London up to the United Nations Global Compact Cities Programme?

The Mayor: The UN Global Compact Cities programme and the accompanying ten principles have been useful in driving forward change internationally. I did assess whether London should sign up to the Programme. However, as the GLA is already delivering on these principles through existing work programmes – for example, working with cities in the C40 network to tackle climate change and with businesses through our Good Work Standards and our Responsible Procurement policies – I concluded that, rather than diverting resource to other workstreams to support membership of this programme, we would be better served focusing our efforts on existing work.

ULEZ Exemptions

Keith Prince: My constituent’s granddaughter has cystic fibrosis and needs regular hospital appointments inside the ULEZ to which her parents drive her in their non-compliant vehicle. Is it right that they do not receive an exemption?

The Mayor: As with the Congestion Charge, NHS patients who are clinically assessed as too ill to travel to hospital appointments by public transport are eligible to claim back any charges from their treating hospital. The hospital treating your constituent’s granddaughter will be able to confirm if they are eligible for the NHS reimbursement, so I would encourage your constituent to discuss this with their hospital.

Transport for London, Arriva and Noise and Light Pollution Around Chingford Station (2)

Jennette Arnold: Given the aforementioned light pollution from Chingford Station, please explain how Transport for London and Arriva justify the cutting down of trees which helped block part of the light from floodlights.

The Mayor: Chingford Depot is particularly vulnerable to trespass and vandalism, risking the lives of those trespassing, encouraging crime in the local community and affecting the reliability of the train service for local residents.
The trees at the depot were being used to gain unauthorised access to the depot, while on the depot side they were overhanging the walking routes used by drivers and other staff to move between trains as well as interfering with the overhead lines. The trees were removed to reduce the risk of trespass and vandalism, as well as to allow staff to carry out their roles safely. Planting replacement trees would reintroduce the risk of trespass and is not a viable option. Transport for London and Arriva Rail London have agreed to investigate alternative solutions which could be used to reduce light disturbance to residents.

Crossrail (5)

Caroline Pidgeon: What is the overall policy of Crossrail Ltd in the use of staff paid through Personal Service Companies.

The Mayor: I am advised that Crossrail Limited’s overall policy is not to enter into arrangements with any Personal Service Companies for the provision of personal services by an individual.

Length of Hours worked by London Bus Drivers

Caroline Pidgeon: In your response to Question 2019/6064 you stated that "the rota for route 470 has 12-hour shifts for two or three consecutive days" but you assert that the rota is compensated by the fact that "there is non-driving time of over five hours each day and a minimum rest time of 10 hours and 30 minutes between each shift." Does TfL have any evidence that non-driving time is indeed "restful" or that the minimum hours between shifts is used for sleep?

The Mayor: The long periods of non-driving time in the schedule for route 470 take place at Epsom bus garage or Epsom town centre (with the ability to travel to the bus garage if preferred), with suitable facilities to gain rest, food and access to toilets at both. The cumulative driving time within these duties is also less than some shorter duties within the route 470 rota.
Transport for London (TfL) does not hold information on the restfulness of non-driving time for bus routes, including route 470. However, the research it has commissioned into bus driver fatigue will consider many factors affecting sleep, including rostering and shift patterns. The work, carried out by Loughborough University and Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute, will be published in summer.

Project representative of Crossrail

Caroline Pidgeon: Will you ensure that the advice of the Project Representative of Crossrail (Jacobs) is more actively listened to and used to inform decision-making?

The Mayor: The Project Representative (Jacobs) function has been significantly enhanced, with the appointment of a senior and industry-recognised leader, an experienced project manager and additional roles providing greater capacity across key elements of the programme including commercial, risk and schedule.
As of February 2019, a member of the Project Representative attends the Crossrail Limited Board and has the opportunity to raise concerns as a standing agenda item. Separately and as a matter of routine, Crossrail Limited are expected to respond to any matters raised in the Project Representative’s periodic report covering letter at Crossrail Sponsor Board.

Loughborough University's Fatigue Survey of London's Bus Drivers (3)

Caroline Pidgeon: Please state who at TfL is responsible for the approval and oversight of Loughborough University's Fatigue survey of London's bus drivers.

The Mayor: The London bus driver fatigue survey is part of a body of independent research by Loughborough University. The terms of reference wereapproved by Transport for London’s Director of Bus Operations, with the delivery of the commission overseen by its Bus Safety Development Team. The survey was designed by the researchers from their own road safety expertise and related studies in this area.
The Director of Bus Operations will sign off the report once its content has been validated and any technical language simplified to make it as robust and accessible as possible.

Opportunities during Hammersmith Bridge closure

Caroline Russell: The closure of Hammersmith Bridge at short notice due to structural concerns is disrupting bus services and other traffic. However, the bridge is open to cycle and foot traffic, and your Transport Strategy aims for more short journeys to be made by these modes. Is Transport for London (TfL) supporting walking and cycle as alternative modes for journeys in this area, and is it learning from the closure by studying changes in traffic, pollution, and travel choices and behaviour?

The Mayor: TfL continues to work closely with the London Boroughs of Hammersmith & Fulham and Richmond-upon-Thames to make walking and cycling more attractive choices. In particular, TfL will continue to work with Hammersmith & Fulham Council on plans for a new cycle route between Brentford and Kensington Olympia, which will transform conditions for walking and cycling between Hammersmith, Brentford and West Kensington. In Richmond, TfL’s plans include walking and cycling improvements in East Sheen and Manor Circus.
TfL is closely monitoring the impact that the closure of Hammersmith Bridge is having on the local road network. It has already begun making changes to traffic signal timings in the area to benefit all road users, and will continue to monitor the situation to determine whether further changes are required.
TfL has also announced details of changes it is making to the local bus network to improve public transport links for people affected by the closure.

Commuting mode of London bus drivers

Caroline Pidgeon: Does TfL collect any data which reflects the mode of travel and length of time London bus drivers spend commuting to and from the bus depots?

The Mayor: As Transport for London does not directly employ bus drivers, it does not collect or hold data on how they travel to and from bus depots. However, it has commissioned research into bus driver fatigue, which will be published in summer. This will look at work and rest time, as well as factors that might affect fatigue, including commuting into work.

Supply chain monitoring

Unmesh Desai: Would you consider commissioning NGOs such as Labour Behind the Label/Clean Clothes Campaign and/or the Workers Rights Consortium, to report on working conditions in priority supply chains?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) already has arrangements in place with bodies such as the Ethical Trading Initiative and Electronics Watch. I am always open to the GLA group putting similar arrangements in place as and when appropriate.

Transport for London Supply Chain Working conditions

Unmesh Desai: Can Transport for London publicly report on working conditions in its clothing and work wear supply chains as soon as possible?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) was the first public sector organisation to join the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), a leading alliance of companies, trade unions and non-governmental organisations that promotes respect for workers’ rights around the globe. In addition, TfL publishes an annual Modern Slavery Statement on its website. The statement informs TfL’s customers, suppliers, staff and the public about its approach to identify, prevent and mitigate the risks modern slavery, human trafficking, forced and bonded labour and labour rights violations in its supply chains.
TfL’s approach to gaining visibility of, and improving working conditions in, its clothing supply chains was externally endorsed in a 2018 report titled ‘U.K. Public Sector Apparel Procurement: Ensuring Transparency and Respect for Human Rights’ by the International Corporate Accountability Roundtable. TfL also requires independent third party audits to be conducted on all sites of manufacture of its uniforms.

Electronics watch Transport for London report

Unmesh Desai: Can Transport for London ask Electronics Watch to publicly report on working conditions in TfL’s supply chains at the earliest opportunity?

The Mayor: Transport for London can request that Electronics Watch publish this information. However, Electronics Watch do not necessarily monitor and report on a specific employer’s supply chain as it is highly complex and interlinked with others. Electronics Watch’s approach to reporting prioritises workers and workers' organisations, employers, brand buyers, and public buyers (affiliates to Electronics Watch). Further information can be found here:http://electronicswatch.org/en/publication-of-electronics-watch-monitoring-reports_2541710

Assessing How Ash Grove Bus Depot is Best Used

Jennette Arnold: Ash Grove Bus Depot was built 30 years ago. Bus usage and local usage has changed in the interim. What effort has been made in the last two years to assess how this depot can be best used for the benefit of HCT, Arriva and its local communities to make sure it is fit for purpose?

The Mayor: Transport for London has been working with the London Borough of Hackney and its bus operators over the past year to review options for the Ash Grove site.This work is at an early stage, but I have asked TfL to make sure it seeks views from you and your constituents on any proposals that might be brought forward.

Sexual offences on the transport system

Susan Hall: For each of the financial years 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2018/19, please provide the number of sexual offences committed on the transport system

The Mayor: The below table shows the figures for sexual offences reported on the Transport for London (TfL) system for the last three financial years. Data for 2018/19 can only be supplied until the end of February 2019, as TfL is still awaiting the finalised bus-related crime data for March 2019.
Financial year
Sexual Offences
2016/17
1996
2017/18
1961
2018/19 (to Feb 2019)
1919
TfL continues to work closely with the Police to increase awareness of the issue and encourage reporting through Project Guardian and the ‘Report it to Stop it’ campaign, as part of their efforts to tackle unwanted sexual behaviour on the network.
TfL also publishes Crime and Incident bulletins, both annually and every quarter, which provides a summary of crime and anti-social behaviour on their services.

PHV Checks

Susan Hall: Answering with an annual breakdown, how many checks on PHV drivers have there been inside the congestion zone since 2010?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) does not hold the data in the format you have asked. Figures for compliance checks have been recorded from 2013 and are not separated based on location, outside of specific deployments.
The below table shows the number of Private Hire driver inspections from 2013 to 2018.
Inspection Type
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Private Hire Driver Checks
895
1,215
3,235
30432
144,785
146,160

Uber accidents

Susan Hall: Answering with a monthly breakdown, how many accidents has Uber had in London over the last year?

The Mayor: TfL does not hold collision information regarding any particular company or private hire operator.
Recent years have seen substantial reductions in the number of people killed or seriously injured from road traffic collisions in London. Private hire occupant casualties make up fewer than two per cent of all casualties, which is roughly proportionate to their overall share of journeys travelled on London’s roads.
Any death or injury on our roads is a tragedy and we are working to reduce collisions involving all road users. My Transport Strategy and Vision Zero Action Plan sets out my approach to road danger reduction to eradicate deaths and serious injuries from London’s streets. Transport for London (TfL) has also developed proposals for an advanced driving test for private hire drivers which recently underwent a public consultation.

W12 Bus User Breakdown

Jennette Arnold: Please provide a breakdown of the W12 bus users mentioned in the answer to question 2019/3802 by these age groups: 0-5yrs; 5-10yrs; 11-18yrs; 18-59yrs; and 60+yrs.

The Mayor: After Transport for London (TfL) took the decision to reduce the frequency of the W12, the data shows there has been little or no change to the age groups of those who use the service.
Unfortunately, TfL’s data is unable to report by the age groups you have requested. Age group data relies on discount and age setting on Oyster cards, while only those carrying 60+ or Freedom Passes are included in the 60+ group. All contactless transactions are registered as ‘Adult’.
Age group
Usage pre-frequency change (%)
Usage post-frequency change (%)
Child
6
5
16-17
3
3
Adult
56
55
60+ (Freedom Pass holders)
34
36
The data is six weeks from 13 August 2017 (pre-frequency change) and 12 August 2018 (post-frequency change). These six weeks covered a period with no disruptions to the service to ensure that the pre- and post-change data was comparable.

ULEZ

Leonie Cooper: Will micro-businesses and charities applying for the Scrappage Scheme be able to use the £3,500 to purchase a ULEZ compliant Euro 4 petrol vehicle, or is it strictly limited to only Euro 6?

The Mayor: Eligible microbusinesses and charities can apply for a van scrappage payment of £3,500, to be used to support the purchase or lease of a ULEZ compliant vehicle. This can be a Euro 4 (petrol) or Euro 6 (diesel) vehicle.

TfL land

Andrew Boff: Could you please provide the number of homes started on TfL sites in each of the financial years 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19, broken down by site?

The Mayor: London is currently facing a housing crisis and I have been clear that TfL must put its landholdings to better use to build thousands of more affordable homes. TfL's development programme has accelerated under my mayoralty.
In 2016/17, zero homes started on site. This increased to 276 homes in 17/18 including 181 homes across TfL’s A40 Sites in Ealing, and 86 homes at Holloway Road in Islington. In 2018/19, TfL submitted planning applications for 1,300 homes and started building another 46 affordable homes on the Fenwick Estate near Clapham North. Since submitting its planning application, TfL has received planning permission to build another 350 new homes in Waltham Forest at Blackhorse Road and will be starting construction on this site shortly. By March 2021, under the programme I instigated, TfL expects to have started on sites that will generate 10,000 homes.